The recent snowstorms across the eastern side of the Northern Tablelands saw widespread damage to infrastructure and services across the region.
Thousands of residents across the electorate were without power for a number of days. They have lost perishables, have been without water and businesses have not been able to trade.
I have been in contact with Minister for Recovery, and Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin, and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib appealing for financial support to those affected across the region.
With the snowstorms, I would also like to commend the community spirit. There were plenty of stories of people checking on their neighbours, offering up their homes, delivering goods and clearing roads.
Well done to the whole community for coming together during a pretty difficult period.
A huge amount of snow fell across the Northern Tablelands last Saturday.
Parliamentary sittings
Parliament resumed this week for the August sittings.
I spoke in the debate on the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Amendment (Priority Network Projects) Bill 2025.
During Question Time, I asked Premier Chris Minns when will the NSW Government step up and assist our communities who have been devastated by the recent snowstorm. I am told I should receive a response on Friday evening.
I also delivered Community Recognition Statements on Armidale’s Wally O’Hara OAM, Gwydir Shire’s Max Eastcott OAM, Glen Innes Rotary Club, Balala’s Peter Croft, Moree’s Kyla-Belle, Armidale Autumn Festival, NERAM’s Let’s Hang It exhibition, Moree’s Heidi Morris, Inverell Pioneer Village, Armidale EALD program, Luke Schmude, and Moree Homes for the Aged committee.
I tabled Questions On Notice on NSW Police Academy training, Walcha Ambulance Station, court house facilities, Regional Economic Development Community Investment Program grant, Water NSW job cuts, Crown Roads Enclosure Permits, Duval High School site, Moree Secondary College Courallie street campus, and the Moree Special Activation Precinct.
I delivered a Private Members’ Statement on the need to update the planning laws in NSW to achieve fairness for regional communities and regional landholders.
NSW Women’s Week
NSW Women’s Week will be held from March 2, 2026 to March 8, 2026 and is aimed at recognising and celebrating the contributions women make to our communities.
Nominations for the 2026 NSW Women of the Year Awards are now open with the following categories: NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence; NSW Community Hero; NSW Young Woman of the Year (aged 16-30); NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year; and NSW Regional Woman of the Year.
The NSW Government’s Women of the Year Awards will be held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
To nominate an exceptional woman in your life or community, visit the NSW Women of the Year Awards web page. Nominations close Tuesday, 9 September.
Thunderbolts Way
Thunderbolts Way from Walcha to Gloucester is scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 11.
Although it will be reopened to traffic, roadworks will continue along the route with traffic control and reduced speed limits will remain in place.
Thank-you to the crews and everyone involved in restoring access to this vital regional route.
Kempsey Road works
Repair works will begin on Kempsey-Armidale Road on 25 August and are scheduled to continue through to 30 June 2026. It will be closed to the public with only local access during this period.
Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award
Zonta International is again offering a financial grant and a supporting Zonta membership for one year for women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit and ethical conduct in business-related field. The Zonta Club of Armidale has hlped promote opportunities for women across the Northern Tablelands.
For more information on the program and how to apply for the award, visit Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award.
eID program
The NSW Government has extended the electronic identification (eID) program for sheep and goats. eID tags are mandatory for all sheep and goats born from 1 January 2025 and the discount program means produces receive $0.76 off each tag from an NLIS-approved provider.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services
Local Land Services are hosting workshops in Walcha, Guyra, and Glen Innes on August 13-14, discussing how staying in sheep stacks up. There will be information and insights from Agrista Pty Ltd, Zoetis and District Vets.
For more details and to register, visit LLS Workshops.
Service NSW mobile centres
Service NSW is bringing their mobile service centre to Toomelah, Boggabilla, and Mungindi.
The mobile service centre can help with driver knowledge tests, drivers licence applications and renewals, working with children check, birth, death, and marriage certificates, and more.
The mobile service centre will be at the Community Centre Toomelah on Tuesday, August 19 from 9am to 11am.
The mobile service centre will be at Boggabilla Community Health Centre 74 Merriwa Street on Tuesday, August 19 from 12.00pm to 3.00pm.
The mobile service centre will be at Barwon River Park, 155 St George Street Mungindi on Wednesday, August 20 2025 from 10am to 3pm.
What’s On
UNE Discovery will have a pop-up event at the Armidale Farmers Market on Sunday, August 10 and Armidale Central on Saturday, August 18 to celebrate National Science Week.
International Film Festival on August 14-27 from 5pm to 10pm at Belgrave Cinema, Armidale.
Old Time music sessions at the brewery on August 7 from 5.30pm to 7pm at The Welders Dog Brewery.
Armidale Farmers’ Market on August 10 from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Curtis and Civic Park, Armidale.
Inverell RSM Club presents Starshine, a tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac on August 16 from 8pm to 10pm at the Inverell RSM Club.
Sapphire City Markets on August 17 from 7.30 am to 1pm at Campbell Park.
Mungindi Show on Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10.
The 2025 Glen Innes Business Awards on August 9 from 6pm to 11pm at the Glen Innes & District Services Club.
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands
